Sharp PC-5000

In the early 1980s, after IBM introduced the PC, there was a rush to market of a wide variety of clones and work-alike systems. In that lot the Compaq was a notable machine due to its portability. Eventually folks realized that 30+ pounds just wasn't portable and the era of the laptop was born. (Actually, Tandy/Radio Shack had a portable PC available prior to the IBM-PC and several companies had calculator style PCs as well, none with tons of power.)

Sharp's answer to the portable market was one of the first ever clamshell designs featuring a full keyboard and a full 80 column display, albeit only 8 lines of 80 columns.

The Sharp wasn't 100% IBM-PC compatible but it did run MS-DOS and many PC programs (some modified to the screen.)

The Sharp was very unique, however, in that it used bubble memory for persistent storage.

The bubble memory was packaged in cartridges that plugged into a slot on the machine. These acted as 128KB disks.

This Sharp PC (Portable Computer) came with it's original box, packing materials and documents. It is pretty much new.

The Sharp PC-5000 is an Intel 8086 based 16 bit machine with 128k of RAM. Expansions would allow for more RAM, an attachable printer and a separate set of 5.25" floppy drives.

(Submitted October 19, 2007 18:28:09 by Michael)

I've found an Sharp PC-6200 with floppy drive and extra external battery pack in my attic. It's in great shape I'm not sure if it works but if someone is interested please make me an offer.

(Submitted January 6, 2007 10:30:07 by ladyc)

I have a sharp pc-5000 still in the box never used bought in 1986,would like to sell

(Submitted September 27, 2006 08:10:24 by Steve)

I have a bubble memory cartridge for the Sharp 5000 with a WP app on it (Wordstar?) I remember that the cartridges were horribly expensive at the time they were released. Does anyone you know if there is a market for these cartriges now?

(Submitted May 13, 2006 15:36:08 by Bill)

Sorry I'm off topic a bit but I just picked up a Sharp PC 6200 with the expansion/floppy drive interface for 5 dollars at a garage sale. I thought it would was just a word processor. I am wondering if I could add a bigger HD and some more memory. It is 640k, 20meg now.

(Submitted March 26, 2006 00:26:41 by Dave)

I ran accross a Sharpe 6200 Laptop in my storeroom....Its a 286 with a 20 Mg HDD,was worked when I got it 5 years ago.....but appears dead now....I was able to run it on the charger before so I'll see If I can get it going....ether way, Its...Lookin for a home Dave - canuck46

(Submitted October 15, 2005 12:03:43 by Eugene)

can u stilll find this product for sale used or not used on certan sites for sail.

(Submitted November 17, 2004 14:01:38 by david aldrich)

there was also a separate 3.5 drive for this machine.

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Description
Manufacturer	Sharp
Model	PC 5000
Date Announced	1983
Date Canceled	Unknown
Number Produced	Unknown
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	Unknown
Current Value	$5-$200

Specifications
Processor	Intel 8088
Speed	4.77 MHz
RAM	128-512K
ROM	ROM cartridges could be added
Storage	Bubble memory cartridges, optional external 5.25" floppy drives
Expansion	ROM cartridges
Bus	N/A
Video	640x80 internal LCD screen (80x8 text)
I/O	Parallel, Serial
OS Options	MS-DOS (in ROM)

Notes	The PC 5000 was a fairly advanced MS-DOS portable and one of the first (and only) machines to use bubble memory for storage.

Related Items in Collection	Manual, original box, etc.
Related Items Wanted	Additional software, bubble cartridges, ROMs, drives, other peripherals.